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Padparadscha sapphires

Padparadscha sapphires are a special variety of the gem class termedcorundrum. A natural padparadscha sapphire is a delicate color thatis a combination of pink/red and orange and the best specimens arefrom Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Padparadscha is derived from the Sanskritword padmaraga meaning lotus flower: The petals of the finest lotusblossoms are a blend of pink and orange.

Padparadscha sapphires are one of the world's most expensive gems,with prices similar to those fetched by fine rubies or fine emeralds.Prices for padparadscha sapphires are difficult to determine becausesome sources value them at the highest range of a pink sapphire at$3,125/carat, whereas others value them in their own category at up to$30,000/carat.

Padparadscha sapphires tend to demand a greater clarity than anequivalent ruby since an inclusion is more prominent in thepadparadscha sapphire. Nevertheless, an equivalent sized padparadschasapphire is much more rare than a ruby. Any fine padparadschasapphire greater than 2 carats is a real rarity. And a padparadschasapphire above five carats can be considered a world-class gem. Thelargest gem quality paparadscha sapphire is 100.18 CT and can be foundin the New York's American Museum of Natural History. Furthermore,only a handful of star padparadscha sapphires have been reported inthe world!

When buying a padparadscha sapphire make sure that the seller statesthat the origin is from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the color is a red/pinkand orange, and that they seller mentions that the gem is "natural" or"genuine." Recently, celebrities have been proposing withpadparadscha sapphires instead of the classic diamonds... and why notsince a fine padparadscha sapphire is much rarer than a diamond.

This Padparadscha sapphire in shades of pink-orange are very rare. What you get in the market are orange sapphires which have been wrongly given the padparadscha status. If you go to sell a orange sapphire it does not sell all that well compared to mandarin garnet's or topaz. If you sell a orange sapphire as pad it is more likely to attract attention from uneducated customers at least.

My father (a gemologist) purchased a 6-carat padparadscha in 1952 and put it into his safe deposit box. I inherited it a few years ago. It had never been worn. It was difficult to get an appraisal because none of the local jewelers had ever seen one. I had to go to St Louis to get two appraisals. It's back in my safe deposit box now. I wear it one or two days a year. And yes, it will take your breath away. Someday my daughter will inherit it.

About Sri Lanka Jewelers

Sri Lanka Jewellers brings you the highest quality natural gems from Sri Lanka. A ‘high quality’ gemstone is one that has beauty (good colour and clarity), rarity and durability. We provide a wide range of gemstones that include blue, white, star and fancy sapphires, chrysoberyl cat's eye, spinel, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, moonstones and zircon.

A beautiful, high quality gem is something you can appreciate and enjoy for a lifetime and hand down to the next generation. Our natural, high quality gemstones come to you from Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon), a country blessed with dazzling gemstones of legendary beauty and amazing variety